Rfid device having low-loss barium-based ceramic oxide

ABSTRACT

An RFID chip is embedded in a device having a body that includes a low-dielectric loss material including at least one of barium stannate, barium cerate, barium tungstate and barium molybdate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/311,976, filed Mar. 9, 2010, entitled “Low-Loss Barium-BasedCeramic Oxides,” is hereby claimed, and the specification thereof isincorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.

BACKGROUND

Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is used in manyapplications to identify and determine the locations of various items.An example of RFID technology uses a passive RF device, also referred toas an RFID chip, embedded within or otherwise associated with an item.When the RFID device comes within range of a corresponding RFIDtransceiver, the presence of the RFID device is detected by the RFIDtransceiver.

One limitation of such a system is that the RFID device may be embeddedin the item, causing the material from which the item is formed toattenuate the RF signal between the RFID device and the RFIDtransceiver, thus limiting the range over which the RFID transceiver candetect the presence of the RFID device. Therefore, it would be desirableto minimize attenuation of RF energy between the RFID device and theRFID transceiver.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention relate to a device comprising a bodyincluding at least one of barium stannate, barium cerate, bariumtungstate and barium molybdate, and an RFID chip disposed in the body.Embodiments of the invention also relate to a method comprisingproviding a body material including at least one of barium stannate,barium cerate, barium tungstate and barium molybdate, and embedding anRFID chip in the body material. Embodiments of the invention furtherrelate to a ceramic oxide material that includes a low-dielectricconstant modifier including at least one of a magnesium aluminumsilicate, a magnesium silicate, a zinc silicate, silica, and talc.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the invention willbe or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination ofthe following figures and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention can be better understood with reference to the followingfigures. The components within the figures are not necessarily to scale,emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principlesof the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numeralsdesignate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 illustrates a radio frequency identification (RFID) device havinga body in which an RFID chip is embedded.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the body of the device of FIG. 1,taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method of making thebody material for the device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, in an illustrative or exemplary embodimentof the invention, a radio frequency identification (RFID) device 10includes an electronic RFID chip 12 embedded in a body 14. RFID chip 12can be any passive or active RFID chip or similar device known in theart that can communicate information in the form of RF energy 18 with anRFID transceiver 16. As such RFID chips 12 are well known to personsskilled in the art, RFID chip 12 is not described in further detailherein.

In exemplary embodiments, body 14 can include a low-dielectric lossbarium-based ceramic oxide and a binder material such as polyvinylchloride (PVC) (or a derivative of PVC), in which the ceramic oxideparticles are evenly distributed within the polymer-ceramic matrix ofbody 14. The low-dielectric loss ceramic oxide renders body 14sufficiently transparent to RF (e.g., microwave) energy 18 to reliablycommunicate information between device 10 and RFID transceiver 16. TheRF energy 18 emitted by RFID transceiver 16 can be, for example, in thewavelength range of approximately 100 megahertz (MHz) to approximately18 gigahertz (GHz).

In one exemplary embodiment, the low-dielectric loss barium-basedceramic oxide comprises barium stannate (BaSnO₃). An exemplary methodfor making low-dielectric loss barium-based ceramic oxide comprisingbarium stannate is described with reference to FIG. 3. At step 20,precursor materials comprising barium carbonate and tin oxide areweighed, mixed and blended together. The mixture can include in therange of about 54-59 percent barium carbonate by weight and in the rangeof about 41-46 percent tin oxide by weight. The barium carbonate and tinoxide can be mixed together by, for example, Cowles blending, vibratorymill blending, P-K Cross-flow blending (V-blending), or any othersuitable mixing process known in the art. The barium carbonate and tinoxide can be mixed dry or, alternatively, mixed using water or water andalcohol. In an embodiment in which the barium carbonate and tin oxideare mixed wet, the mixture is dried before the next step 22.

At step 22, the mixture of barium carbonate and tin oxide is heated orcalcined. The calcine process can be carried out in, for example, aceramic vessel, such a porous aluminum oxide box (commonly referred toas a “sagger”), using a pure oxygen atmosphere or, alternatively, an airatmosphere. The mixture of barium carbonate and tin oxide can be heatedto a temperature in the range of about 1100-1350 C for a period in therange of about 4-16 hours. Preferably, the mixture is heated for 8-12hours. The calcine process results in the production of barium stannatein the form of powder or granules. The barium stannate typically has adensity of about 7.24 g/cc and a dielectric constant of about 26. Atstep 24, the barium stannate material is milled to a median article sizein the range of about 1-10 μm using, for example, Cowles blending,vibratory mill blending, V-blending, or any other suitable milling ormixing process known in the art.

Optionally, at step 26 the barium stannate material can be mixed with alow-dielectric constant modifier to reduce the dielectric constant ofthe resulting blend. The materials can be mixed dry or, alternativelywet-mixed using water or water or water and alcohol. If wet-mixed, theresulting mixture is dried before the next step 28. Suitablelow-dielectric constant modifiers include a magnesium aluminum silicate(e.g., Cordierite), a magnesium silicate (e.g., Fosterite), a zincsilicate, a magnesium silicate, silica, and talc. The barium stannatematerial can be mixed with one or more of these low-dielectric constantmodifiers. For example, a mixture can comprise about 50-65 percent byweight barium stannate (having a density of 7.24 g/cc) and about 35-40percent by weight Cordierite (having a density of 2.45 g/cc). In thisexample, the resulting mixture has a density of about 5.00 g/cc and adielectric constant of 14.

Optionally, the barium stannate ceramic powder (with or without themodifier) may be granulated to a coarser size using spray drying orpelletizing prior to sintering (step 30). An example of pelletizing isthe use of an Eirich Blender.

Optionally, at step 28, the barium stannate ceramic powder can be mixedwith a sintering aid that allows the sintering step 30 to be performedat a lower temperature. The sintering aid and the ceramic powder can bedry blended using, for example, Cowles blending, vibratory millblending, V-blending, or any other suitable milling or mixing processknown in the art. The barium stannate and sintering aid can be mixed dryor, alternatively wet-mixed using water or water or water and alcohol.If wet-mixed, the resulting mixture is dried before the sintering step30. The sintering aid can include one or more of the following: copperoxide, lithium niobate, boron oxide, barium borate, barium tetraborate,barium tungstate, potassium niobate, tungsten oxide, barium molybdate,molybdenum oxide, potassium tantalate, potassium oxide, sodium niobate,sodium oxide, lithium tantalate, lithium oxide, manganese oxide, zincoxide, calcium zirconate, strontium zirconate, tin oxide, calciumstannate, strontium stannate, magnesium stannate. Barium tungstate andbarium molybdate compounds (described below) can also be used assintering aids for barium stannate.

At step 30, the barium stannate (with or without sintering aid) issintered in, for example, a ceramic vessel, such as a porous aluminumoxide box, using a pure oxygen atmosphere or, alternatively, an airatmosphere. Sintering allows for optimum densification of the ceramicpowder to form larger (20-100 μm diameter) granules.

An inorganic dye (e.g., iron oxide or cobalt chloride) can be added tothe precursor mix or the barium stannate (with or without sintering aid)prior to sintering to add a desired color to the ceramic powder aftercalcining (step 22) or sintering (step 30).

At step 32, the sintered ceramic granules are then sorted or classifiedusing sieves or other well known techniques to segregate the granulesinto sizes suitable for the desired use. For example, granules having adiameter in the range of about 10-100 μm can be segregated for use inthe next step 34.

At step 34, the sorted ceramic granules may be combined with a bindermaterial, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). A suitable organic orinorganic dye can be added along with the PVC to produce a desired colorin the final product. The amount of ceramic granules ranges from about30 to 70 percent by weight in the final material. The final material canbe used in a molding process to embed RFID chip 10 (FIG. 1).

In another exemplary embodiment, the low-dielectric loss barium-basedceramic oxide comprises barium cerate (BaCeO₃). An exemplary method formaking low-dielectric loss barium-based ceramic oxide comprising bariumcerate is described with reference to FIG. 3. At step 20, precursormaterials comprising barium carbonate and cerium oxide are weighed,mixed and blended together. The mixture can include in the range ofabout 50-55 percent barium carbonate by weight and in the range of about45-50 percent cerium oxide by weight. The barium carbonate and ceriumoxide can be mixed together by, for example, Cowles blending, vibratorymill blending, P-K Cross-flow blending (V-blending), or any othersuitable mixing process known in the art. The barium carbonate andcerium oxide can be mixed dry or, alternatively, mixed using water orwater and alcohol. In an embodiment in which the barium carbonate andcerium oxide are mixed wet, the mixture is dried before the next step22.

At step 22, the mixture of barium carbonate and cerium oxide is heatedor calcined. The calcine process can be carried out in, for example, aceramic vessel, such a porous aluminum oxide box, using a pure oxygenatmosphere or, alternatively, an air atmosphere. The mixture of bariumcarbonate and cerium oxide can be heated to a temperature in the rangeof about 1100-1350 C for a period in the range of about 4-16 hours.Preferably, the mixture is heated for 8-12 hours. The calcine processresults in the production of barium cerate in the form of powder orgranules. The barium cerate typically has a density of about 6.29 g/ccand a dielectric constant of about 27. At step 24, the barium ceratematerial is milled to a median article size in the range of about 1-10μm using, for example, Cowles blending, vibratory mill blending,V-blending, or any other suitable milling or mixing process known in theart.

Optionally, at step 26 the barium cerate material can be mixed with alow-dielectric constant modifier to reduce the dielectric constant ofthe resulting blend. The materials can be mixed dry or, alternativelywet-mixed using water or water or water and alcohol. If wet-mixed, theresulting mixture is dried before the next step 28. Suitablelow-dielectric constant modifiers include a magnesium aluminum silicate(e.g., Cordierite), a magnesium silicate (e.g., Fosterite), a zincsilicate, a magnesium silicate, silica, and talc. The barium ceratematerial can be mixed with one or more of these low-dielectric constantmodifiers. For example, a mixture can comprise about 50-65 percent byweight barium cerate (having a density of 6.29 g/cc) and about 35-40percent by weight Cordierite (having a density of 2.45 g/cc). In thisexample, the resulting mixture has a density of about 5.00 g/cc and adielectric constant of 15.

Optionally, the barium cerate ceramic powder (with or without themodifier) may be granulated to a coarser size using spray drying orpelletizing prior to sintering (step 30). An example of pelletizing isthe use of an Eirich Blender.

Optionally, at step 28, the barium cerate ceramic powder can be mixedwith a sintering aid that allows the sintering step 30 to be performedat a lower temperature. The sintering aid and the ceramic powder can bedry blended using, for example, Cowles blending, vibratory millblending, V-blending, or any other suitable milling or mixing processknown in the art. The barium cerate and sintering aid can be mixed dryor, alternatively wet-mixed using water or water or water and alcohol.If wet-mixed, the resulting mixture is dried before the sintering step30. The sintering aid can include one or more of the following: copperoxide, lithium niobate, boron oxide, barium borate, barium tetraborate,barium tungstate, potassium niobate, tungsten oxide, barium molybdate,molybdenum oxide, potassium tantalate, potassium oxide, sodium niobate,sodium oxide, lithium tantalate, lithium oxide, manganese oxide, zincoxide, calcium zirconate, strontium zirconate, calcium cerate, strontiumcerate, and magnesium cerate.

At step 30, the barium cerate (with or without sintering aid) issintered in, for example, a ceramic vessel, such as a porous aluminumoxide box, using a pure oxygen atmosphere or, alternatively, an airatmosphere. Sintering allows for optimum densification of the ceramicpowder to form larger (in the range of about 20-100 μm diameter)granules.

An inorganic dye (e.g., iron oxide or cobalt chloride) can be added tothe precursor mix or the barium cerate (with or without sintering aid)prior to sintering to add a desired color to the ceramic powder aftercalcining (step 22) or sintering (step 30).

At step 32, the sintered ceramic granules are then sorted or classifiedusing sieves or other well known techniques to segregate the granulesinto sizes suitable for the desired use. For example, granules having adiameter in the range of about 10-100 μm can be segregated for use inthe next step 34.

At step 34, the sorted ceramic granules may be combined with a bindermaterial, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). A suitable organic orinorganic dye can be added along with the PVC to produce a desired colorin the final product. The amount of ceramic granules ranges from about30 to 70 percent by weight in the final material. The final material canbe used in a molding process to embed RFID chip 10 (FIG. 1).

In another exemplary embodiment, the low-dielectric loss barium-basedceramic oxide comprises barium tungstate (BaWO₃). An exemplary methodfor making low-dielectric loss barium-based ceramic oxide comprisingbarium tungstate is described with reference to FIG. 3. At step 20,precursor materials comprising barium carbonate and tungsten oxide areweighed, mixed and blended together. The mixture can include in therange of about 41-51 percent barium tungstate by weight and in the rangeof about 49-59 percent tungsten oxide by weight. The barium carbonateand tungsten oxide can be mixed together by, for example, Cowlesblending, vibratory mill blending, P-K Cross-flow blending (V-blending),or any other suitable mixing process known in the art. The bariumcarbonate and tungsten oxide can be mixed dry or, alternatively, mixedusing water or water and alcohol. In an embodiment in which the bariumcarbonate and tungsten oxide are mixed wet, the mixture is dried beforethe next step 22.

At step 22, the mixture of barium carbonate and tungsten oxide is heatedor calcined. The calcine process can be carried out in, for example, aceramic vessel, such a porous aluminum oxide box, using a pure oxygenatmosphere or, alternatively, an air atmosphere. The mixture of bariumcarbonate and tungsten oxide can be heated to a temperature in the rangeof about 750-1100 C for a period in the range of about 4-16 hours.Preferably, the mixture is heated for 8-12 hours. The calcine processresults in the production of barium tungstate in the form of powder orgranules. The barium tungstate typically has a density of about 5.04g/cc and a dielectric constant of about 8. At step 24, the bariumtungstate material is milled to a median article size in the range ofabout 1-10 μm using, for example, Cowles blending, vibratory millblending, V-blending, or any other suitable milling or mixing processknown in the art.

Optionally, at step 26 the barium tungstate material can be mixed with alow-dielectric constant modifier to reduce the dielectric constant ofthe resulting blend. The materials can be mixed dry or, alternativelywet-mixed using water or water or water and alcohol. If wet-mixed, theresulting mixture is dried before the next step 28. Suitablelow-dielectric constant modifiers include a magnesium aluminum silicate(e.g., Cordierite), a magnesium silicate (e.g., Fosterite), a zincsilicate, a magnesium silicate, silica, and talc. The barium tungstatematerial can be mixed with one or more of these low-dielectric constantmodifiers. For example, a mixture can comprise about 65-80 percent byweight barium tungstate (having a density of 5.04 g/cc) and about 20-35percent by weight Fosterite (having a density of 2.89 g/cc). In thisexample, the resulting mixture has a density of about 4.50 g/cc and adielectric constant of 6. Alternatively, a mixture can comprise about70-85 percent by weight percent barium tungstate (having a density of5.04 g/cc) and about 15-30 percent by weight Cordierite (having adensity of 2.45 g/cc). In this alternative example, the resultingmixture has a density of about 4.50 g/cc and a dielectric constant of 6.

Optionally, the barium tungstate ceramic powder (with or without themodifier) may be granulated to a coarser size using spray drying orpelletizing prior to sintering (step 30). An example of pelletizing isthe use of an Eirich Blender.

As sintering temperatures of barium tungstate are sufficiently low, theoptional step 28 of adding a sintering aid can generally be omitted.However, copper oxide or borate-based materials can be used as asintering aid to reduce sintering temperatures by about 100 C.

At step 30, the barium tungstate is sintered in, for example, a ceramicvessel, such as a porous aluminum oxide box, using a pure oxygenatmosphere or, alternatively, an air atmosphere. Sintering allows foroptimum densification of the ceramic powder to form larger (20-100 μmdiameter) granules. An inorganic dye (e.g., iron oxide or cobaltchloride) can be added to the precursor mix or the barium tungstateprior to sintering to add a desired color to the ceramic powder aftercalcining (step 22) or sintering (step 30).

At step 32, the sintered ceramic granules are then sorted or classifiedusing sieves or other well known techniques to segregate the granulesinto sizes suitable for the desired use. For example, granules having adiameter in the range of about 10-100 μm can be segregated for use inthe next step 34.

At step 34, the sorted ceramic granules may be combined with a bindermaterial, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). A suitable organic orinorganic dye can be added along with the PVC to produce a desired colorin the final product. The amount of ceramic granules ranges from about30 to 70 percent by weight in the final material. The final material canbe used in a molding process to embed RFID chip 10 (FIG. 1).

In another exemplary embodiment, the low-dielectric loss barium-basedceramic oxide comprises barium molybdate (BaMoO₃). An exemplary methodfor making low-dielectric loss barium-based ceramic oxide comprisingbarium molybdate is described with reference to FIG. 3. At step 20,precursor materials comprising barium carbonate and molybdenum oxide areweighed, mixed and blended together. The mixture can include in therange of about 55-60 percent barium carbonate by weight and in the rangeof about 40-45 percent molybdenum oxide by weight. The barium carbonateand molybdenum oxide can be mixed together by, for example, Cowlesblending, vibratory mill blending, P-K Cross-flow blending (V-blending),or any other suitable mixing process known in the art. The bariumcarbonate and molybdenum oxide can be mixed dry or, alternatively, mixedusing water or water and alcohol. In an embodiment in which the bariumcarbonate and molybdenum oxide are mixed wet, the mixture is driedbefore the next step 22.

At step 22, the mixture of barium carbonate and molybdenum oxide isheated or calcined. The calcine process can be carried out in, forexample, a ceramic vessel, such a porous aluminum oxide box, using apure oxygen atmosphere or, alternatively, an air atmosphere. The mixtureof barium carbonate and molybdenum oxide can be heated to a temperaturein the range of about 750-1100 C for a period in the range of about 4-16hours. Preferably, the mixture is heated for 8-12 hours. The calcineprocess results in the production of barium molybdate in the form ofpowder or granules. The barium molybdate typically has a density ofabout 4.945 g/cc and a dielectric constant of about 9. At step 24, thebarium molybdate material is milled to a median article size in therange of about 1-10 μm using, for example, Cowles blending, vibratorymill blending, V-blending, or any other suitable milling or mixingprocess known in the art.

Optionally, at step 26 the barium molybdate material can be mixed with alow-dielectric constant modifier to reduce the dielectric constant ofthe resulting blend. The materials can be mixed dry or, alternativelywet-mixed using water or water or water and alcohol. If wet-mixed, theresulting mixture is dried before the next step 28. Suitablelow-dielectric constant modifiers include a magnesium aluminum silicate(e.g., Cordierite), a magnesium silicate (e.g., Fosterite), a zincsilicate, a magnesium silicate, silica, and talc. The barium molybdatematerial can be mixed with one or more of these low-dielectric constantmodifiers. For example, a mixture can comprise about 63-77 percent byweight barium molybdate (having a density of 4.945 g/cc) and about 23-37percent by weight Fosterite (having a density of 2.89 g/cc). In thisexample, the resulting mixture has a density of about 4.50 g/cc and adielectric constant of 6. Alternatively, a mixture can comprise about67-82 percent by weight percent barium molybdate (having a density of5.04 g/cc) and about 18-33 percent by weight Cordierite (having adensity of 2.45 g/cc). In this alternative example, the resultingmixture has a density of about 4.50 g/cc and a dielectric constant of 6.

Optionally, the barium molybdate ceramic powder (with or without themodifier) may be granulated to a coarser size using spray drying orpelletizing prior to sintering (step 30). An example of pelletizing isthe use of an Eirich Blender.

As sintering temperatures of barium molybdate are sufficiently low, theoptional step 28 of adding a sintering aid can generally be omitted.However, copper oxide or borate-based materials can be used as asintering aid to reduce sintering temperatures by about 10° C.

At step 30, the barium molybdate is sintered in, for example, a ceramicvessel, such as a porous aluminum oxide box, using a pure oxygenatmosphere or, alternatively, an air atmosphere. Sintering allows foroptimum densification of the ceramic powder to form larger (20-100 μmdiameter) granules. An inorganic dye (e.g., iron oxide or cobaltchloride) can be added to the precursor mix or the barium molybdateprior to sintering to add a desired color to the ceramic powder aftercalcining (step 22) or sintering (step 30).

At step 32, the sintered ceramic granules are then sorted or classifiedusing sieves or other well known techniques to segregate the granulesinto sizes suitable for the desired use. For example, granules having adiameter in the range of about 10-100 μm can be segregated for use inthe next step 34.

At step 34, the sorted ceramic granules may be combined with a bindermaterial, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). A suitable organic orinorganic dye can be added along with the PVC to produce a desired colorin the final product. The amount of ceramic granules ranges from about30 to 70 percent by weight in the final material. The final material canbe used in a molding process to embed RFID chip 10 (FIG. 1).

While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many moreembodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scopeof this invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restrictedexcept in light of the following claims.

1. A device, comprising: a body including at least one of bariumstannate, barium cerate, barium tungstate and barium molybdate; and aradio frequency identification (RFID) chip disposed in the body.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein the body further includes at least one of amagnesium aluminum silicate, a magnesium silicate, a zinc silicate,silica, and talc.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the body includes amixture of a binder material and at least one of barium stannate, bariumcerate, barium tungstate and barium molybdate.
 4. The device of claim 3wherein the binder material includes polyvinyl chloride.
 5. A method,comprising: providing a body material including at least one of bariumstannate, barium cerate, barium tungstate and barium molybdate; andembedding a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip in the bodymaterial.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein providing a body materialincludes: providing a precursor mixture that includes barium carbonateand tin oxide; and heating the precursor mixture to form a ceramicoxide.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein providing a body materialfurther includes mixing with the ceramic oxide a low-dielectric constantmodifier including at least one of a magnesium aluminum silicate, amagnesium silicate, a zinc silicate, silica, and talc.
 8. The method ofclaim 7 wherein providing a body material further includes sintering themixture of ceramic oxide and low-dielectric constant modifier to produceceramic oxide granules having a diameter in the range of about 20micrometers to 100 micrometers.
 9. The method of claim 8 whereinproviding a body material further includes, prior to sintering themixture of ceramic oxide and low-dielectric constant modifier, adding asintering aid including at least one of copper oxide, lithium niobate,boron oxide, barium borate, barium tetraborate, barium tungstate,potassium niobate, tungsten oxide, barium molybdate, molybdenum oxide,potassium tantalate, potassium oxide, sodium niobate, sodium oxide,lithium tantalate, lithium oxide, manganese oxide, zinc oxide, calciumzirconate, strontium zirconate, tin oxide, calcium stannate, strontiumstannate, and magnesium stannate.
 10. The method of claim 8 whereinproviding a body material further includes mixing the ceramic oxidegranules with a binder material to produce the body material.
 11. Themethod of claim 5 wherein providing a body material includes: providinga precursor mixture that includes barium carbonate and cerium oxide; andheating the precursor mixture to form a ceramic oxide.
 12. The method ofclaim 11 wherein providing a body material further includes mixing withthe ceramic oxide a low-dielectric constant modifier including at leastone of a magnesium aluminum silicate, a magnesium silicate, a zincsilicate, silica, and talc.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein providinga body material further includes sintering the mixture of ceramic oxideand low-dielectric constant modifier to produce ceramic oxide granuleshaving a diameter in the range of about 20 micrometers to 100micrometers.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein providing a bodymaterial further includes, prior to sintering the mixture of ceramicoxide and low-dielectric constant modifier, adding a sintering aidincluding at least one of copper oxide, lithium niobate, boron oxide,barium borate, barium tetraborate, barium tungstate, potassium niobate,tungsten oxide, barium molybdate, molybdenum oxide, potassium tantalate,potassium oxide, sodium niobate, sodium oxide, lithium tantalate,lithium oxide, manganese oxide, zinc oxide, calcium zirconate, strontiumzirconate, calcium cerate, strontium cerate, and magnesium cerate. 15.The method of claim 13 wherein providing a body material furtherincludes mixing the ceramic oxide granules with a binder material toproduce the body material.
 16. The method of claim 5 wherein providing abody material includes: providing a precursor mixture that includesbarium carbonate and tungsten oxide; and heating the precursor mixtureto form a ceramic oxide.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein providing abody material further includes mixing with the ceramic oxide alow-dielectric constant modifier including at least one of a magnesiumaluminum silicate, a magnesium silicate, a zinc silicate, silica, andtalc.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein providing a body materialfurther includes mixing the ceramic oxide granules with a bindermaterial to produce the body material.
 19. The method of claim 5 whereinproviding a body material includes: providing a precursor mixture thatincludes barium carbonate and molybdenum oxide; and heating theprecursor mixture to form a ceramic oxide.
 20. The method of claim 19wherein providing a body material further includes mixing with theceramic oxide a low-dielectric constant modifier including at least oneof a magnesium aluminum silicate, a magnesium silicate, a zinc silicate,silica, and talc.
 21. The method of claim 20 wherein providing a bodymaterial further includes mixing the ceramic oxide granules with abinder material to produce the body material.